EAPPI: Including the first Muslim ever, new group brings total number of ecumenical accompaniers since 2002 to over 200
Counting the 20 new volunteers who recently arrived in Jerusalem, the total number of people to have participated in the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) has now passed the 200-mark, as the programme completes its third year of existence.
The latest group of ecumenical accompaniers includes a Muslim participant for the first time. She comes from South Africa.
There are two other accompaniers from South Africa, four from Sweden, four from Norway, two from Iceland, one from Canada, two from Switzerland, three from the UK, including Northern Ireland, and two from the USA. The EAPPI is also pleased to welcome the first EA from Finland. The thirteen women and seven men in the new group range in age from 24 to 65.
Ecumenical accompaniers, who serve a minimum of three months, work in various capacities with local churches, Palestinian and Israeli NGOs, as well as Palestinian communities, to try to reduce the brutality of the Israeli occupation and improve the daily lives of both peoples. Accompaniers will continue to be placed in Bethlehem, Hebron, Jayyous, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Tulkarem and Yanoun.
Since the programme was launched in August 2002, 217 accompaniers have participated from more than 30 churches and ecumenical partners in 14 countries: Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the USA.
More information on the EAPPI and profiles of the current group of ecumenical accompaniers are available on the EAPPI website at:
Media contact in Palestine/Israel: +972 (0)2-628-9402 +972 (0)54-799-8724
The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) was launched in August 2002. Ecumenical accompaniers monitor and report violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, support acts of non-violent resistance alongside local Christian and Muslim Palestinians and Israeli peace activists, offer protection through non-violent presence, engage in public policy advocacy, and stand in solidarity with the churches and all those struggling against the occupation. The programme is co-ordinated by the World Council of Churches.
